Over-the-door hanging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for hanging an article from a door. In one aspect, the inventive apparatus can comprise a mounting system that can be used to hang a mirror, piece of art, or other flat article to a door without the need for a screw driver or any other tools.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/300,834, filed Jun. 10,2014, which in turn is a continuation application of U.S. Nonprovisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/028,839, filed Sep. 17, 2013, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,746,644, which in turn is a continuation application of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/915,747, filed Oct. 29,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,627, which in turn claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/334,914, filed May 14,2010, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to an over-the-door hangingapparatus, and specifically to an over-the-door hanging apparatus thatincludes a frame supporting a mirror or piece of art.

BACKGROUND

Mirrors are used often in everyday life. For example, the first thingthat a person does after waking up is go to the bathroom and look at himor herself in the mirror. Furthermore, people also typically look atthemselves in the mirror prior to leaving the house to make sure thatthey are pleased with their appearance. A very common room in the homefor a person to desire to have a mirror is in the bedroom or thebathroom. However, there is not always a good place to put a mirror inthose rooms. Therefore, it has been known to hang a mirror on a wall oron the back of a door by using adhesives, screws, nails or hangers.Doors have been widely used to support mirrors because they provideconvenient available space, because they may be removed to facilitatemounting of the mirror, and because they avoid the necessity of placingwall anchors in plaster or drywall.

In addition to mirrors, people are often desirous to hang other articlesor objects on the back of a door in order to conserve space while stillenjoying the benefits of the article. For example, people may desire tohang a painting, picture or some other framed article from the back of adoor. Depending on the person's needs and the space that the person hasavailable, a person may desire to hang any object that may otherwise behung or attached to a wall from a door instead.

Typical hangers that enable a user to hang a mirror or other article onthe back of a door require a user to assemble the hanger onto the rearof the mirror or other article by screwing, gluing or otherwiseattaching the hanger directly onto the rear of the mirror or otherarticle. This type of an installation requires a screw driver or glue,which a user or consumer does not always have available. Furthermore, inthe case of a screw-type assembly, even if the user has a screwdriver,the user may find it difficult to force the screw into the rear of themirror or other article because the mirror or other article typicallydoes not have pilot or pre-drilled holes.

Thus, a need exists for an apparatus and/or system that can be used tohang a mirror, piece of art, or other flat article to a door without theneed for a screw driver or any other tools. A need also exists for anapparatus and/or system that enables a user to hang a mirror, piece ofart, or other flat article from a door in a matter of seconds withoutthe need for excessive physical force and with the ability to adjust itshanging height.

SUMMARY

These objects and others, which will become apparent from the followingdisclosure and drawings, are achieved by the present invention which, inone aspect, can be an over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: aframe having a rear surface and supporting a flat article, the framecomprising a first channel in the rear surface of the frame, a secondchannel in the rear surface of the frame, the first and second channelslocated on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame; a firstmounting plate and a second mounting plate, each of the first and secondmounting plates comprising a first edge, a second edge, a third edge,and a vertical axis intersecting the first, second and third edges, thefirst edge spaced a first distance from the second edge along thevertical axis and the second edge spaced a second distance from thethird edge along the vertical axis, wherein the first and seconddistances are substantially equal; the first mounting plate secured tothe rear surface of the frame so that the vertical axis of the firstmounting plate is coextensive with the first channel and the first,second, and third edges of the first mounting plate extend transverse tothe first channel; the second mounting plate secured to the rear surfaceof the frame so that the vertical axis of the second mounting plate iscoextensive with the second channel and the first, second, and thirdedges of the second mounting plate extend transverse to the secondchannel; a bracket assembly comprising a front surface, a rear surface,a first pair of vertically aligned hooks extending outwardly from thefront surface of the bracket assembly, each of the hooks of the firstpair forming a slot, wherein the hooks of the first pair are spaced fromone another by a third distance that is substantially equal to the firstand second distances, a second pair of vertically aligned hooksextending outwardly from the front surface of the bracket assembly, eachof the hooks of the second pair forming a slot, wherein the hooks of thesecond pair are spaced from one another by the third distance, and atleast one bracket extending from the rear surface of the bracketassembly for engaging a top edge of the door; and wherein the frame isalterable between: (1) being slidably mounted to the bracket assembly bythe first pair of hooks extending into the first channel so that thefirst and second edges of the first mounting plate are located withinthe slots of the hooks of the first pair, and the second pair of hooksextending into the second channel so that the first and second edges ofthe second mounting plate are located within the slots of the hooks ofthe second pair; and (2) being slidably mounted to the bracket assemblyby the first pair of hooks extending into the first channel so that thesecond and third edges of the first mounting plate are located withinthe slots of the hooks of the first pair, and the second pair of hooksextending into the second channel so that the second and third edges ofthe second mounting plate are located within the slots of the hooks ofthe second pair.

In another aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame having a rear surface and supporting aflat article, the frame comprising a channel in the rear surface of theframe; a mounting plate comprising a first edge, a second edge, a thirdedge, and an axis intersecting the first, second and third edges, themounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the axisof the mounting plate is coextensive with the channel and the first,second, and third edges of the mounting plate extend transverse to thechannel; a bracket assembly comprising a front surface, a rear surface,a pair hooks extending outwardly from the front surface of the bracketassembly, each of the hooks forming a slot, and at least one bracketextending from the rear surface of the bracket assembly for engaging atop edge of the door; wherein the frame is alterable between (1) beingslidably mounted to the bracket assembly at a first height by the hooksextending into the channel so that the first and second edges of themounting plate are located within the slots of the hooks; and (2) beingslidably mounted to the bracket assembly at a second height that isdifferent than the first height by the hooks extending into the channelso that the second and third edges of the mounting plate are locatedwithin the slots of the hooks.

In yet another aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame having a rear surface and supporting aflat article, a first channel in the rear surface of the frame, a secondchannel in the rear surface of the frame, the first and second channelslocated on opposite sides of a centerline of the frame; a first flatplate secured to the rear surface of the frame so as to overlie a topportion of the first channel and leave a bottom portion of the firstchannel unobstructed; a second flat plate secured to the rear surface ofthe frame so as to overlie a top portion of the second channel and leavea bottom portion of the second channel unobstructed; a bracket assemblycomprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first hook extendingoutwardly from the front surface of the bracket assembly, a second hookextending outwardly from the front surface of the bracket assembly, andat least one bracket extending from the rear surface of the bracketassembly for engaging a top edge of the door; and the frame slidablymounted to the bracket assembly by the first hook extending into the topportion of the first channel via the bottom portion of the first channeland the second hook extending into the top portion of the second channelvia the bottom portion of the second channel.

In still another aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame having a rear surface and supporting aflat article, the frame comprising a first channel in the rear surfaceof the frame, a second channel in the rear surface of the frame, thefirst and second channels located on opposite sides of a verticalcenterline of the frame; a first mounting plate and a second mountingplate, each of the first and second mounting plates comprising a firstedge, a second edge spaced from the first edge, and an axis intersectingthe first and second edges, the first mounting plate secured to the rearsurface of the frame so that the axis of the first mounting plate iscoextensive with the first channel and the first and second edges of thefirst mounting plate extend transverse to the first channel, the secondmounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame so that the axisof the second mounting plate is coextensive with the second channel andthe first and second edges of the second mounting plate extendtransverse to the second channel; a bracket assembly comprising a frontsurface, a rear surface, a first hook extending outwardly from the frontsurface of the bracket assembly so as to form a first slot, a secondhook extending outwardly from the front surface of the bracket assemblyso as to form a second slot, and at least one bracket extending from therear surface of the bracket assembly for engaging a top edge of thedoor; wherein the frame is alterable between: (1) being slidably mountedto the bracket assembly at a first height by the first hook extendinginto the first channel so that the first edge of the first mountingplate is located within the first slot, and the second hook extendinginto the second channel so that the first edge of the second mountingplate is located within the second slot; and (2) being slidably mountedto the bracket assembly at a second height that is different than thefirst height by the first hook extending into the first channel so thatthe second edge of the first mounting plate is located within the firstslot, and the second hook extends into the second channel so that thesecond edge of the second mounting plate is located within the secondslot.

In a further aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame having a rear surface and supporting aflat article, the frame comprising a first channel in the rear surfaceof the frame, and a second channel in the rear surface of the frame, thefirst and second channels located on opposite sides of a centerline ofthe frame; a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, each ofthe first and second mounting plates comprising a first edge, a secondedge, a third edge, and an axis intersecting the first, second and thirdedges, the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frameso that the first, second, and third edges overlie the first channel,the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the frame sothat the first, second, and third edges of the second mounting plateoverlie the second channel; a bracket assembly comprising a frontsurface, a rear surface, a first pair of hooks extending outwardly fromthe front surface of the bracket assembly, each of the hooks of thefirst pair forming a slot, a second pair of hooks extending outwardlyfrom the front surface of the bracket assembly, each of the hooks of thesecond pair forming a slot, and at least one bracket extending from therear surface of the bracket assembly for engaging a top edge of thedoor; wherein the frame is alterable between: (1) being slidably mountedto the bracket assembly at a first height by the first pair of hooksextending into the first channel so that the first and second edges ofthe first mounting plate are located within the slots of the hooks ofthe first pair, and the second pair of hooks extending into the secondchannel so that the first and second edges of the second mounting plateare located within the slots of the hooks of the second pair; and (2)being slidably mounted to the bracket assembly at a second height thatis different than the first height by the first pair of hooks extendinginto the first channel so that the second and third edges of the firstmounting plate are located within the slots of the hooks of the firstpair, and the second pair of hooks extending into the second channel sothat the second and third edges of the second mounting plate are locatedwithin the slots of the hooks of the second pair.

In an even further aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame having a rear surface, a verticalcenterline and supporting a flat article; a first mounting plate and asecond mounting plate, each of the first and second mounting platescomprising a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a verticalaxis intersecting the first, second and third edges, the first andsecond mounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame onopposite sides of the vertical centerline; a bracket assembly comprisinga front surface, a rear surface, a first pair of hooks extendingoutwardly from the front surface of the bracket assembly, each of thehooks of the first pair forming a slot, a second pair of hooks extendingoutwardly from the front surface of the bracket assembly, each of thehooks of the second pair forming a slot, and at least one bracketextending from the rear surface of the bracket assembly for engaging atop edge of the door; wherein the frame is alterable between: (1) beingslidably mounted to the bracket assembly at a first height by the firstand second edges of the first mounting plate being slid into the slotsof the hooks of the first pair, and the first and second edges of thesecond mounting plate being slid into the slots of the hooks of thesecond pair; and (2) being slidably mounted to the bracket assembly at asecond height that is different than the first height by the second andthird edges of the first mounting plate being slid into the slots of thehooks of the first pair, and the second and third edges of the secondmounting plate being located within the slots of the hooks of the secondpair.

In an even further aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edgedefining a central opening, and a rear surface; a mirror positionedwithin the central opening of the frame; a first mounting plate and asecond mounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured tothe rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerlineof the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a first mountingelement, the second mounting plate comprising a first mounting element;a first elongate member comprising a first mounting element and a firstbracket for slidably engaging a top edge of a door; a second elongatemember comprising a first mounting element and a second bracket forslidably engaging the top edge of the door; the frame slidably mountedto the first elongate member through slidable mating between at leastthe first mounting element of the first mounting plate and the firstmounting element of the first elongate member; and the frame slidablymounted to the second elongate member through slidable mating between atleast the first mounting element of the second mounting plate and thefirst mounting element of the second elongate member.

In a yet further aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame comprising an outer edge, an inner edgedefining a central opening, and a rear surface; a flat articlepositioned within the central opening of the frame; a first mountingplate and a second mounting plate, the first and second mounting platessecured to the rear surface of the frame on opposite sides of a verticalcenterline of the frame, the first mounting plate comprising a firstedge, the second mounting plate comprising a first edge, the first edgeof the first mounting plate being vertically aligned with the first edgeof the second mounting plate; a bracket assembly comprising at least onebracket for engaging a top edge of the door, a first hook, and a secondhook; the frame slidably mounted to the bracket assembly throughslidable mating between: (1) the first edge of the of the first mountingplate and the first hook of the bracket assembly; and (2) the first edgeof the of the second mounting plate and the second hook of the bracketassembly.

In still another aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame comprising a central opening and a rearsurface; a flat article positioned within the central opening of theframe; first and second mounting elements located on the rear surface ofthe frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the frame; abracket assembly comprising at least one bracket for engaging a top edgeof the door, a third mounting element, and a fourth mounting element;the frame slidably mounted to the bracket assembly through slidablemating between at least the first mounting element and the thirdmounting element and the second mounting element and the fourth mountingelement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatusin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a top portion of the over-the-door hangingapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3a is a side view of a bracket assembly in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the bracket assembly of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a mounting plate in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4b is a front view of the mounting plate of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one lateral side of the over-the-doorhanging apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hangingapparatus showing the connection between the bracket assembly and themounting plate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatusin accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention whereinan annular channel is formed into the frame to receive the hooks of thebracket assembly.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the components of one lateral side of theover-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components of one lateral side of anover-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment ofthe present invention wherein a single continuous channel is provided oneach vertical member of the frame to receive the hooks of one member ofthe bracket assembly.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention whereinmultiple mounting plate segments are used to mate with the hooks of onemember of the bracket assembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 1 hanging from the top edge of a door in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatusin accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a close-up view of a top portion of the over-the-door hangingapparatus of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14a is a side view of a bracket assembly in accordance with a fifthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14b is a perspective view of the bracket assembly of FIG. 14 a.

FIG. 15a is a perspective view of a mounting plate in accordance with afifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15b is a front view of the mounting plate of FIG. 15 a.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of one lateral side of the over-the-doorhanging apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17a is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hangingapparatus of FIG. 12 showing the connection between the bracket assemblyand the mounting plate.

FIG. 17b is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hangingapparatus of FIG. 12 showing the connection between the bracket assemblyand the mounting plate.

FIG. 18a is a side view of a bracket assembly in accordance with a sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18b is a rear perspective view of the bracket assembly of FIG. 18a.

FIG. 19a is a perspective view of a mounting plate in accordance with asixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19b is a front view of the mounting plate of FIG. 19 a.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hangingapparatus of FIGS. 18a-19b showing the connection between the bracketassembly and the mounting plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 concurrently, a first embodiment of anover-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is illustrated. The over-the-doorhanging apparatus 100 generally comprises a frame 101, a flat article110 supported within the frame 100, first and second mounting plates120, 220 secured to a rear surface 103 of the frame 101, and a bracketassembly 150 to which the frame 101 is slidably mounted (as discussed ingreater detail below).

In the exemplified embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 101 is aperimeter-type frame comprising an outer edge 112 and an inner edge 113.The inner edge 113 forms a closed-geometry thereby defining a centralopening 114. A flat article 110, such as a mirror, is positioned andsupported within the central opening 114 according to known mountingtechniques. Although the invention will be described with reference tothe flat article 110 being a mirror, any other substantially flatarticle (or article with a substantially flat rear surface) can be usedin conjunction with the present invention, including artwork, diplomas,or the like. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “frame” is notlimited to a traditional perimeter-type frame having a central opening,but includes frames resembling a simple backer-board or plate that takesup the entire (or a portion of) rear surface area of the article to bemounted thereon. Preferably, however, the desired flat article isdisplayed by frame 101 so as to be visible to a user when theover-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is hung from a door as describedbelow.

The over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 comprises a first mounting plate120 and a second mounting plate 220 that are secured to the rear surface103 of the frame 101 on opposite lateral sides of a vertical centerlineA-A. The first and second mounting plates 120, 220 are secured to theframe 101 via screws 121, 221, respectively. Of course, other fastenersand fastening techniques can be used to secure the first and secondmounting plates 120, 220 to the frame, including without limitationbolts, nails, rivets, clamps, ties, slot-and-groove mating connections,snap-fit connections, and/or combinations thereof.

The over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 also comprises a bracketassembly 150 to which the frame 101 is detachably mounted. Morespecifically, the frame 101 is detachably mounted to the bracketassembly through a slidable mating between the first and second mountingplates 120, 220 and the hooks of the bracket assembly 150, which will bedescribed in great detail below. The frame 101 comprises a first channel130 and a second channel 230 (fully visible in FIG. 5). Only a bottomportion of the first and second channels 130, 230 is visible in FIGS. 1and 2.

In the exemplified embodiment, the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100comprises a perimeter-style frame 101, two mounting plates 120, 220 anda bracket assembly 150 that includes a first elongate bracket member 151and a second elongate bracket member 251. In this embodiment, the twomounting plates 120, 220 are attached to the frame 101 on opposite sidesof the vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 while the first elongatemember 151 is slidably attached to the first mounting plate 120 and thesecond elongate member 251 is slidably attached to the second mountingplate 220. Of course, the invention is not so limited and theover-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may comprise only one mounting plateand one elongate bracket member connected to a central region of theframe 101. Alternatively, the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 maycomprise greater than two mounting plates and a corresponding number ofelongate members of the bracket assembly to provide for a more secureconnection between the bracket assembly 150 and the frame 101. Moreover,while the first and second elongate bracket members 151, 251 areexemplified as separate structures, it is possible for theses members151, 251 to be formed as a single construct.

For purposes of referencing direction and orientation of the variouscomponents of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100, it should benoted that relative terms such as top, bottom, left, right, lateral,proximal, distal, upward, outward, inward, vertical, horizontal, and thelike are used to delineate relative positions of the components of theinventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 with respect to oneanother and with respect to the vertical centerline A-A and are notintended to be in any further way limiting of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 a and 3 b concurrently, a detaileddescription of the bracket assembly 150 will be set forth. Thestructural details of the elongate bracket members 151, 252 will bediscussed herein with respect to the first elongate member 151 with theunderstanding that the same is applicable to the second elongate member251 in all respects.

The first elongate member 151 extends from a distal end 152 to aproximal end 153 and comprises a front surface 193 and an opposite rearsurface 194. The first elongate member 151 is preferably an integrallyformed structure formed by appropriately bending a flat strip offlexible metal, such as a sheet metal. Of course, other materials andformation techniques can be used, including the molding, milling and/orlathing of plastics, matrix materials, or any other material capable ofwithstanding the required load-bearing requirements. Moreover, while thefirst elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150 is preferablyflexible in nature, it may be constructed so as to be substantiallyrigid if desired.

A generally U-shaped bracket 158 is provided at a proximal end 153 ofthe first elongate member 151 and extends from the rear surface 194thereof for sliding over and engaging a top edge of a door. The U-shapedbracket 158 comprises a front portion 154, a top portion 155 and a backportion 156 that terminates with an angled flange 157. The front portion154 corresponds to a top portion of the elongate member 151 and itencompasses the proximal end 153 of the elongate member 151. The topportion 155 extends outward from the rear surface 194 of the elongatemember 151 at the proximal end 153 so as to form an approximately 90degree angle with the front portion 154 of the U-shaped bracket 158.Although the top portion 155 is described as extending at anapproximately 90 degree angle from the front portion 154 of the U-shapedbracket 158, it may extend at other angles if desired. The back portion156 of the U-shaped bracket 158 extends downwardly from the top portion155 at an approximately 90 degree angle with the top portion 155,thereby forming the U-shaped bracket 158 of the first elongate member151 of the bracket assembly 150. The angled flange 157 diverges slightlyoutward from the back portion 156 at an obtuse angle Θ in order tofacilitate placement of the U-shaped bracket 158 over a top edge of adoor as will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.

The U-shaped bracket 158 is preferably made of a flexible material sothat it can bend and more easily fit over doors with varying widths. Inother words, it is preferable that a user is able to extend the distancebetween the back portion 156 and the front portion 154 of the U-shapedbracket 158 by applying an outward force on the flange 157. The topportion 155 of the U-shaped bracket 158 is made wide enough toaccommodate a conventional door width which the inventive bracketassembly 150 is to be used. The thickness of the material, and hence itsflexibility, must be chosen so that the U-shaped bracket 158 issufficiently rigid to avoid deformation under the load of the flatarticle 110 and yet is thin enough to fit over the top of the doorwithout creating clearance problems with respect to the cap of the doorframe. In use, a user may grip and pull on the flange portion 157 of theU-shaped bracket 158 of the bracket assembly 150 in order to assist withthe attachment of the bracket assembly 150 to the top edge of a door aswill be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

The first elongate member 151 further comprises a top hook 161 and abottom hook 162 near the distal end 152 of the elongate member 151. Thetop hook 161 and the bottom hook 162 collectively form a pair of hooksand are often referred to as such throughout this application. In theexemplified embodiment, the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are integrallyformed with the first member 151. More specifically, the top and bottomhooks 161, 162 are preferably formed by punching an appropriate patternin the first elongate member 151 and subsequently bending the in-planetab out of plane and into the desired shape. As a result, apertures 163,164 (i.e. holes) are formed in the elongate member 151 behind the hooks161, 162. The apertures 163, 164 enable the elongate member 151 to bemanufactured with less material and also prevent the elongate member 151from prematurely deteriorating due to the friction of the mountingplates 120, 220 against the hooks 161, 162. Of course, the apertures163, 164 need not be included as a part of the elongate member 151 andthe hooks 161, 162 can be separate structures that are subsequentlywelded, fastened, clamped or otherwise connected to the first elongatemember 151.

The top and bottom hooks 161, 162 each extend outwardly from the frontsurface 193 of the elongate member 151 and upwardly toward the proximalend 153. The top hook 161 extends from a base 166 at which it connectsto the elongate member 151 to a distal end 192 at which it terminates.Similarly, the bottom hook 162 extends from a base 165 at which itconnects to the elongate member 151 to a distal end 191 at which itterminates. The top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are preferably in a linearvertical alignment with one another on the front surface 193 of theelongate member 151. The hooks 161, 162 each have a length which isequal to the distance from the bases 165, 166 to the distal ends 191,192 of the hooks 161, 162, respectively. The base 166 of the top hook161 is spaced a distance D1 from the base 165 of the bottom hook 162,the importance of which will become apparent from the description belowwith reference to FIGS. 4a and 4 b.

The top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are preferably S-shaped tabs. TheS-shape of the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are preferred in order toaccomplish an efficient attachment between the bracket assembly 150 andthe mounting plates 120, 220 as will be described below. The invention,of course, is not limited by the shape of the hooks and other shapes maybe used as would be known to persons skilled in the art. For example,the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 could simply be straight tabsextending outwardly in an angled fashion from the bracket assembly 150for slidable mating with the edges of the mounting plates as describedbelow. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term hooks isintended to include any type of tab-type structure that may extendoutwardly from the bracket assembly 150 in a manner that affordsslidable mating with the edges of the mounting plates 120, 220 and isnot intended to be in any other way limiting of the present invention.

Both of the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 extend outwardly and upwardlyfrom the front surface 193 of the elongate member 151 in a spaced partmanner so that slots 168, 169 are formed between the hooks 161, 162 andthe front surface 193 of the elongate member 151. Both of the slots 168,169 have an open top end 167, 197 that provides access into the slots168, 169 so that the edges of the mounting plates can be lowered intothe slots 168, 169 during mounting of the frame 101 to the bracketassembly 150, which will be described in greater below with reference toFIG. 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b , the details of the mounting plates120, 220 of the present invention will be described. Similarly to thedescription of the elongate members 151, 251 above, only the firstmounting plate 120 will be described in detail with the understandingthat the discussion is applicable to the second mounting plate 220.

The first mounting plate 120 is preferably a flat plate that can besecured to the frame 101 by any of the techniques describe above. Thefirst mounting plate 120 comprises a plurality of screw holes 122 thatare sized and configured to receive a screw to facilitate the attachmentof the first mounting plate 120 to the frame 101. Although the firstmounting plate 120 is illustrated having three screw holes 122, theinvention is not so limited and the first mounting plate 120 may havemore or less than three screw holes 122 as desired. When attached to theframe 101, a rear surface (not shown) of the first mounting plate 120 isin surface contact with the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 by natureof their opposing flat surfaces.

The first mounting plate 120 is preferably a flat plate that issubstantially free of contour for the entirety of its major planarsurfaces. The first mounting plate 120 has an overall perimeter shapesuch that its cross-sectional area changes throughout its length. Thefirst mounting plate 120 has a bottom edge 125, a top edge 126 and twovertical sides that collectively form the perimeter of the firstmounting plate 120. The first mounting plate 120 also comprises avertical axis B-B that is substantially transverse to and intersects thebottom and top edges 125, 126 of the first mounting plate 120. A topsection 127 of the first mounting plate 120 extends from the top edge126 of the first mounting plate 120 to a transition point TP1. A middlesection 128 of the first mounting plate 120 extends from the transitionpoint TP1 to a transition point TP2. A bottom section 129 of the firstmounting plate 120 extends from the transition point TP2 to the bottomend 125 of the first mounting plate 120. The cross-sectional area of thetop section 127 of the first mounting plate 120 gradually decreases froma point 141 in the top section 127 to the transition point TP1. Themiddle section 128 of the first mounting plate 120, which extends fromthe transition point TP1 to the transition point TP2, has a constantcross-sectional area throughout its length. The cross-sectional area ofthe bottom section 129 of the first mounting plate 120 graduallyincreases from the transition point TP2 to a point 142. Thecross-sectional area of the first mounting plate 120 is again constantfrom the point 142 of the bottom section 129 of the first mounting plate120 to the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120. The shape ofthe first mounting plate 120 provides the first mounting plate 120 witha structural rigidity while using a minimized amount of materials inorder to reduce the costs in manufacturing.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting plate 120 comprises atop aperture 123 and a bottom aperture 124. The top aperture 123 ispositioned partially within both of the top and middle sections 127, 128while the bottom aperture 124 is positioned within the bottom section129 only. Although the invention is described with a plate having twoapertures, the first mounting plate 120 may have only one aperture ormore than two apertures as would be understood by a person skilled inthe art. Furthermore, the apertures 123, 124 may be positioned on otherlocations on the first mounting plate 120 as desired. Using moreapertures will enable additional adjustability to the hanging height ofthe article as will be described below. The apertures 123, 124 in thefirst mounting plate 120 are preferably rectangular in shape, but maytake on any other shape as desired.

The top aperture 123 is defined by a closed-geometry edge that includesa top edge 145 and a bottom edge 143. Similarly, the bottom aperture 124is defined by a closed-geometry edge that includes a top edge 146 and abottom edge 144. The top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 is spaced adistance D2 from the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124, measuredalong the linear axis B-B. Similarly, the top edge 146 of the bottomaperture 124 is spaced a distance D3 from the bottom edge 125, measuredalong the axis B-B. The first mounting plate 120 is designed so that thedistance D2 is substantially equal to the distance D3. Furthermore, bothof these distances D2, D3 are also substantially equal to the distanceD1 between the hooks 161, 162 (discussed above with respect to FIGS. 3a,3b ). The importance of the edges 145, 146, 125, and the distances D1,D2, D3 will become apparent from the description below with reference toFIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a portion of the over-the-door hangingapparatus 100 is illustrated in an exploded state. As can be seen, theframe 101 comprises has a first channel 130 formed into the rear surface103 on one side of the vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 alongthe right lateral (another one of the channels is provided on theopposite side of the vertical centerline A-A). In the exemplifiedembodiment of FIG. 5, the channel 130 is illustrated as a segmentedchannel 130 comprising a first channel segment 131, a second channelsegment 132 and a third channel segment 133.

As noted above, FIG. 5 illustrates the channel 130 as comprising a firstchannel segment 131, a second channel segment 132 and a third channelsegment 133. However, more than three channel segments may be used asdesired for further adjustability in the hanging height of theover-the-door hanging apparatus 100 as will be described below.Furthermore, the frame 101 may be configured with less than threechannel segments and still be used as described below as would beunderstood by a person skilled in the art.

Each of the channel segments 131-133 of the channel 130 is a rectangularshaped depression formed into the frame 101. The channel segments131-133 of the channel 130 each form a groove or trough within the rearsurface 103 of the frame 101 that comprises a floor and, thus, do notextend through the entire thickness of the frame 101. However, inalternative embodiments, one or more of the channel segments 131-133 ofthe channel 130 may be through-holes in the sense that they could extendall the way through the thickness of the frame 101. Of course, thechannel segments 131-133 are contemplated as taking on any other shapes,including without limitation circles, triangles, trapezoids or the like.

Furthermore, while the channel 130 is exemplified as a segmentedchannel, the invention is not so limited and the channel 130 may be asingular continuous annular channel that extends around the entireperimeter of the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 or can be acontinuous channel that extends from below the bottom edge 125 of thefirst mounting plate 120 to above the top edge 145 of the top aperture123 of the first mounting plate 120. These alternative embodiments areshown in FIGS. 7-9 and will be described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 concurrently, the placement and attachment ofthe first mounting plate 120 to the rear surface 103 of the frame 101will be described. In FIGS. 5 and 6, only the first mounting plate 120is shown for clarity and ease of understanding. However, it is to beunderstood that the second mounting plate 220 is attached to the rearsurface 103 of the frame 101 in the same manner as the first mountingplate 120, except that the second mounting plate 220 is attached to theopposite side of the vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 (FIG. 2)in cooperation with a second channel.

The first mounting plate 120 is secured to the rear surface 103 of theframe 101 so that the vertical axis B-B of the first mounting plate 120is coextensive with the elongated channel 130, which in the exemplifiedembodiment is substantially parallel with the vertical centerline A-A.The second mounting plate 220 is secured to the rear surface 103 of theframe 101 on the opposite side of a vertical centerline A-A of the frame101 in an identical orientation with respect to the second channel 230.

More specifically, the first mounting plate 120 is secured to the frame101 so that: (1) the first channel segment 131 extends from a positionbelow the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 to a positionabove the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120; (2) thesecond channel segment 132 extends from a position below the top edge146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 to aposition above the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the firstmounting plate 120; and (3) the third channel segment 133 extends from aposition below the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the firstmounting plate 120 to a position above the top edge 145 of the topaperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120. While not required, it maybe preferred that the first mounting plate 120 be secured to the frame101 so that further: (1) the bottom edge 144 of the bottom aperture 124is aligned with the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the firstmounting plate 120; and (2) the bottom edge 143 of the top aperture 123of the first mounting plate 120 is aligned with the top edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120.

When the first mounting plate 120 is secured to the frame 101 in themanner described above, the top aperture 123 is aligned with the firstchannel segment 133 and forms a passageway through the first mountingplate 120 into the third channel segment 133. Similarly, the bottomaperture 124 is aligned with the second channel segment 132 and forms apassageway through the first mounting plate 120 into the second channelsegment 132. Moreover, the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 extendstransversely across the third channel segment 133. The top edge 146 ofthe bottom aperture 124 extends transversely across the second channelsegment 132. The bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 extendstransversely across the first channel segment 131.

Referring solely now to FIG. 6, the first, second and third channelsegments 131-133 preferably extend above the bottom edge 125 of thefirst mounting plate 120, the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124,and the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123, respectively, by adistance that is at least equal to the length of the hooks 161, 162.This configuration provides sufficient space for the hooks 161, 162 tofit within the selected channel segments 131-133 when the frame 101 isslidably mounted to the bracket assembly 150 as will be discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 concurrently, the attachment of thebracket assembly 150 to the first and second mounting plates 120, 220will be described. The description will be provided with specificreference to the mating between the first mounting plate 120 and thefirst elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150. However, itshould be understood that the description is equally applicable to themating of the second mounting plate 220 with the second elongate member251.

After properly aligning the first mounting plate 120 as described above,the first mounting plate 120 is secured to the rear surface 103 of theframe 101 by extending the screws 121 through the screw holes 122 andthreadily engaging the frame. It is preferred that the first and secondmounting plates 120, 220 be preassembled (i.e., secured) to the frame101 during manufacturing. Thus, the user will be able to hang theapparatus 100 to a door without the need for any tools or excessivephysical strength. In other words, the user will purchase the productfully assembled with the exception that the bracket assembly 150 will beseparate from the first and second mounting plates 120, 220 and frame101. As such, the user will only need to slide the U-Shaped brackets ofthe bracket assembly 150 over the top edge of the door and then slidethe hooks 161, 162 of the bracket assembly into mating cooperation witheither: (1) the top edges 145, 146 of the apertures 123, 124; or (2) thetop edge 146 and the bottom edge 125.

By nature of having an option between sliding the hooks 161, 162 of thebracket assembly into mating cooperation with either: (1) the top edges145, 146 of the apertures 123, 124; or (2) the top edge 146 and thebottom edge 125, the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 hasan advantageous built-in hanging height adjustability. In other words,depending upon which of the channel segments 131-133 of the frame 101the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are attached to, the hanging heightmay be altered. A more detailed description of how the inventiveover-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may be hung at a lower and/or ahigher position will be set forth below. It should be understood,however, that while the description will be set forth below in relationto the first elongate member 151 mating with the first mounting plate120 and the first channel 130, the same principles apply to the matingbetween the second elongate member 151, the second mounting plate 220,and the second channel 230.

When a lower hanging position is desired, such as is shown in FIG. 6,the first elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150 will beattached to the frame 101 by inserting the bottom hook 162 through thebottom aperture 124 in the first mounting plate 120 and the top hook 161through the top aperture 123 in the first mounting plate 120. Becausethe first mounting plate 120 is attached to the frame 101 so that thebottom aperture 124 is aligned with the second channel segment 132 andthe top aperture 123 is aligned with the third channel segment 133, thebottom hook 162 will be inserted into the second channel segment 132 ofthe frame 101 while the top hook 161 will be inserted into the thirdchannel segment 133 of the frame 101. Once sufficiently inserted throughthe apertures 123, 124 and into the second and third channel segments132, 133 of the frame 101, the frame 101 will be lowered (or theelongate member 151 will be raised) until the top edge 145 of the topaperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 slides into the slot 168 ofthe top hook 161 and the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of thefirst mounting plate 120 slides into the slot 169 of the bottom hook162. When fully slid into the slots 168, 169, the base 165 of the bottomhook 162 will contact the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of thefirst mounting plate 120 and the base 166 of the top hook 161 willcontact the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120.

As noted above, the second and third channel segments 132, 133 extendupwardly beyond the edges 145, 146 (in the direction of the verticalaxis A-A) and beneath the first mounting plate 120. This configurationenables the hooks 161, 162 of the bracket assembly 150 to extend intothe frame 101 so that a portion of the first mounting plate 120 issnugly disposed within each of the slots 168, 169.

Through this slidable mating, the hooks 161, 162 frictionally engage theportions of the first mounting plate 120 positioned within the slots168, 169 to prevent the frame 101 from becoming accidentally dislodgedfrom the bracket assembly 150. The frictional engagement is furtherfacilitated by the S-shape and resilient nature of the hooks 161, 162.Although the attachment is described as being a friction fit, theinvention is not so limited and the attachment may be described as apress fit, an interference fit or any other fit as would be known topersons skilled in the art. The attachment between the bracket assembly150 and the frame 101 will be enhanced when the U-shaped bracket 158 ofthe bracket assembly 150 is attached to a top edge of a door because theweight of the flat article 110 being hung will increase the tight natureof the fit between the hooks 161, 162 and the combined plate/frame120/101 apparatus.

The invention has been described with the bracket assembly 150 attachedto the second and third channel segments 133, 132 in the frame 101. Suchan attachment is used when the hanging height of the mirror or articleis desired to be a lower hanging height. As noted above, the hangingheight of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is adjustable.Therefore, the mirror or other flat article 110 may be hung at a higherhanging height in the manner described below and as shown in FIG. 2.

When the first mounting plate 120 is secured to the frame 101, the firstchannel segment 131 in the frame 101 extends beyond the bottom edge 125of the first mounting plate 120 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Therefore,rather than attaching the bracket assembly 150 through the second andthird channel segments 133, 132 of the frame 101, the hooks 161, 162 ofthe bracket assembly 150 are attached to the second and first channelsegments 132, 131 of the frame 101, respectively. Specifically, thebottom hook 162 will be inserted into the first channel segment 131below the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 while the tophook 161 will be inserted into the second channel segment 132 via thebottom aperture 124 of the first mounting.

Once sufficiently inserted into the first and second channel segments131, 132 of the frame 101, the frame 101 will be lowered (or theelongate member 151 will be raised) until the top edge 146 of the bottomaperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 slides into the slot 168 ofthe top hook 161 and the bottom edge 146 of the first mounting plate 120slides into the slot 169 of the bottom hook 162. When fully slid intothe slots 168, 169, the base 165 of the bottom hook 162 will contact thetop edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120and the base 166 of the top hook 161 will contact the bottom edge 125 ofthe first mounting plate 120.

As noted above, the first and second channel segments 131, 132 extendupwardly beyond the edges 146, 125 (in the direction of the verticalaxis A-A) and beneath the first mounting plate 120. This configurationenables the hooks 161, 162 of the bracket assembly 150 to extend intothe frame 101 so that a portion of the first mounting plate 120 issnugly disposed within each of the slots 168, 169. Thus, the samefrictional/interference fit is formed. With such an attachment, theapparatus 100 may be hung at a higher level on a door than previouslydescribed manner. Thus, the present invention provides an easy andefficient way for a user to adjust the hanging height of a mirror orother object without the need for tools or an excessive amount ofphysical force. The adjustable height mounting is achieved by designingthe distances D1, D2, D3 to be substantially equal.

Of course, the second elongate member 251 may be attached in the samemanner as described above except that the second elongate member 251 isattached to the second mounting plate 220 which is secured onto theframe 101 on the opposite side of the vertical centerline A-A. By usingthe first and second elongate members 151, 251, the flat article 110will be more securely hung from the top of the door.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 concurrently, an alternative embodiment of aframe 301 to be used with an over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 will bedescribed. The components of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300that are the same as the components described above with reference tothe over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 will be delineated by the samereference numerals except that the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300will use the 300- and 400-series of numbers rather than the 100- and200-series of numbers. Furthermore, only those aspects of theover-the-door hanging apparatus 300 that are different from theover-the-door hanging apparatus 100 described above will be describedbelow in detail. Therefore, all features of the over-the-door hangingapparatus 300 that are not described below should be interpreted asbeing identical to the corresponding component from the over-the-doorhanging apparatus 100 described above.

Specifically, rather than having a channel 130 comprising three distinctchannel segments 131-133 in the frame 101 that require time and effortin order to properly align the first and second mounting plates 120, 220as described above, the frame 301 may have a continuous channel 330along all four sides of the frame 301 so as to form an annular channelabout the perimeter of the frame 301. This embodiment is advantageous inthat it reduces the costs in manufacturing by reducing the amount ofmaterial needed to create the frame 301 and by reducing the timerequired to attach the first and second mounting plates 320, 420 to theframe 301.

In use, the first mounting plate 320 is aligned with the channel 330 sothat the channel 330 can be seen through the apertures 323, 324 in thefirst mounting plate 320. This embodiment nullifies the need to alignthe apertures 323, 324 of the first mounting plate 320 with the channel330 in a vertical direction and instead enables the first mounting plate320 to be attached to the frame 301 in a myriad of positions so long asthe channel 330 is visible and accessible through the apertures 323,324. Such an embodiment provides a significantly greater amount offlexibility to the hanging height of the flat article.

After the first mounting plate 320 (and preferably also the secondmounting plate 420) is secured to the frame, the hooks 361, 362 of thebracket assembly 350 are inserted through the apertures 323, 324 of thefirst mounting plate 320 in the same manner as described above. Theentire attachment procedure between the bracket assembly 350 and theframe 301 is identical to the attachment procedure described above withreference to the bracket assembly 150 and the frame 101. Essentially,the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 is identical to theover-the-door hanging apparatus 100 except that instead of having asegmented channel 130 in the frame 101, there is one continuous channel330 in the frame 301 that forms a rectangular border around the entiretyof the frame 301. As can be seen the channel 330 still extends from aposition below to a position above each of the edges 345, 346, 325.

Referring to FIG. 9, another alternative embodiment of the channel inthe frame will be described. This embodiment comprises a continuouschannel 530 that is not segmented and that does not form a border aroundthe frame 101. Rather, the channel 530 only extends from a positionbelow the bottom edge 147 of the first mounting plate 120 to a positionabove the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120. In such an embodiment, a second channel (not shown) which isidentical to the channel 530 will be located on the opposite lateralside of the frame 101, thereby forming a mirror image.

Referring to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment for a mounting platewill be described. The first and second mounting plates 120, 220 mayeach comprise a first plate segment 621, 721, a second plate segment622, 722 and a third plate segment 623, 723. This embodiment will befurther described only with reference to the first mounting plate 120.It should be understood that the second mounting plate 220 will havefeatures and components that are identical to the first mounting plate120.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, a bottom edge 625 of the thirdplate segment 623 serves an identical purpose to the bottom edge 125 ofthe first mounting plate 120 described above. Furthermore, a bottom edge646 of the second plate segment 622 serves an identical purpose to thetop edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120.Further still, a bottom edge 645 of the first plate segment 621 servesan identical purpose to the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of thefirst mounting plate 120. It should be understood to a person skilled inthat art that the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 wouldoperate in the same exact manner with the three plate segment 621, 622,623 embodiment as it would with the mounting plate 120 as describedabove. In other words, the bracket assembly 150 will be attached to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 in the same manner as was describedabove.

Referring to FIG. 11, the mirror 110 or other article is illustratedhanging from a top edge 171 of a door 170. In the illustratedembodiment, the mirror or other flat article 110 is attached to thebracket assembly 150 which comprises the first elongate member 151 andthe second elongate member 251 on opposite lateral sides of the rearsurface (not shown) of the flat article 110. The U-shaped brackets 158,258 of the elongate members 151, 251 of the bracket assembly 150 areattached to the top edge 171 of the door 170 so that the flat article110 is hung therefrom. When the flat article 110 is a mirror, it is hungso that the reflective front surface 111 is visible and the rear surface(not shown) is in surface contact with the door 170. It should beunderstood that any of the various types of channels and mounting platesmay be used with the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus in manydifferent combinations. For example, the three plate segment 621, 622,623 mounting plate may be used with the segmented channels 131, 132, 133or with the elongated channel 530 or with the border/annular channel330. Similarly, the first and second mounting plates 120, 220 may alsobe used with any of the above mentioned channel configurations.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, which are not illustrated,the frame 100 may not include channels 130, 230 in its rear surface 101.In such embodiments, the first and second mounting plates 120, 220 (orthe segments thereof) would be placed over planar sections of the rearsurface 101 of the frame 100 and be designed so that the hooks 161-162,191-292 could be slid/inserted between a raised portion of the mountingplates 120, 220 and the planar sections of the rear surface 101. Thiscould be accomplished by forming the first, second and/or third edges125, 145, 146 to include a raised portion that protrudes from the rearsurface 101 of the frame 100, thereby forming a nesting space/gapbetween the rear surface 101 of the frame 100 and the rear surfaces ofthe mounting plates 120, 220 (or the segments thereof). For example, themounting plates 120, 220 (or the segments thereof) could be formed in toresemble one half of a C-clamp and/or a V-clamp. In another example, asmall section of the first, second and/or third edges 125, 145, 146could be bent out of plane with the remaining sections of the mountingplates 120, 220 (or the segments thereof) that are coupled to the frame100. Finally, any of the foregoing details described above with respectto FIGS. 1-11 could be utilized with such an alternative embodiment.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 12-17B,the frame 801 may be designed so that the channels 130, 230 are omitted.In such an embodiment, the bracket assembly 850 comprises a firstelongate member 851 and a second elongate member 951 that are slidablyattached to mounting plates 820, 920 respectively. In this embodiment,the first and second mounting plates 820, 920 are placed over planarsections of the rear surface 803 of the frame 801. To avoid redundancy,only the first mounting plate 820, along with its cooperation with thefirst elongate member 851, is described in detail herein with theunderstanding that the second mounting plate 920, and its coupling tothe second elongate member 951, is identical.

As best shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the first mounting plate 820generally comprises a plurality of planar portions 875A-C and aplurality of raised portions 848A-C. The plurality of planar portions875A-C are substantially coplanar with one another. Similarly, theplurality of raised portions 848A-C are substantially coplanar with oneanother. The plurality of raised portions 848A-C are offset from and notcoplanar with the plurality of planar portions 875A-C. The plurality ofraised portions 848A-C and the plurality of planar portions 875A-C arearranged in an alternating manner and are interconnect to one another.

The first mounting plate 820 is designed so that the hooks 861-863 (orflanged bosses, rivets, screws or bolts in other embodiments) of thefirst elongate member 851 may be slidably inserted between the raisedportions 848A-C of the first mounting plate 820 and the planar sectionsof the rear surface 801 of the frame 801, respectively.

The first mounting plate 820 further comprises a first aperture 823, asecond aperture 824, and a multi-width aperture 830 that are formed inthe raised portions 848A-C of the first mounting plate 820 respectively.The multi-width aperture 830 is divided into a nesting section 832 and areceiving section 831. The nesting section 832 extends vertically fromthe receiving section 831 and is narrowed relative to the receivingsection 831. Stated simply, the nesting section 832 has a width that isless than the width of the receiving section 831. While the multi-widthaperture is exemplified as having stepped width, in other embodimentsthe width may simply taper such that the multi-width slot resembles aV-shape.

The multi-width aperture 830 terminates in a top edge 847. Asexemplified, the top edge 847 is curved to accommodate the shaft of ascrew but can be linear in other embodiments. The receiving section 831is sized such that it will permit the head of a screw, flanged fastener,bolt, or rivet to pass therethrough. The receiving section 831 of themulti-width aperture 830 may have a semi-circular shape or may beconstructed in any shape that permits the passage of a flanged portionof fastener (such as the head of a screw or the head of a flangedfastener).

The multi-width aperture 830 has a bottom edge 834 that is located on ornear the planar portion 875A of the first mounting plate 820 tofacilitate insertion of the screw head into the screw aperture 830. Thenesting section 832 is sized such that the head of the screw may notpass through the slot section 832. This allows the multi-width aperture830 of the first mounting plate 820 to be aligned with a protrudingscrew such that the screw head can be slid into the receiving section831. Then, upon the first mounting plate 820 being slid downward, thescrew body passes into the nesting section 832 and the screw head istrapped between the raised portion 848A of the first mounting plate 820and the rear surface of the frame 801, thereby facilitating mounting toa door or other vertical surface.

Each of the first aperture and second aperture 823, 824 have a top edge845, 846 respectively. The top edge 845 of the first aperture 823 islocated on the raised portion 848B while the top edge 846 of the secondaperture 824 is located on the raised portion 848C. The first and secondapertures 823, 824 also have bottom edges 843, 844, respectively. Thebottom edge 843 of the first aperture 823 is located on the planarportion 875B while the bottom edge 844 of the second aperture 824 islocated on the planar portion 875C. As will be discussed below withrespect to FIG. 17A, the hooks 861-863 are slidably inserted into theapertures 823, 824, 830 and engage the top edges 845-847 of the firstmounting plate 820.

The first mounting plate 820 further includes a plurality of fastenerholes 822 which are sized and configured to receive a screw (or otherfastener) to facilitate fixed attachment of the first mounting plate 820to the rear surface 803 of the frame 801. Although the first mountingplate 820 is illustrated as having three fastener holes 822, theinvention is not so limited and the first mounting plate 820 may havemore or less than three fastener holes 822 as desired. When attached tothe frame 801, the planar portions 875A-C are in surface contact withthe rear surface 803 of the frame 801.

As can be best seen in FIGS. 12 and 17A, the over-the-door apparatus 800may be hung from a door by using the first and second elongate members851, 951. The first and second elongate members 851, 951 are slid overthe top edge of the door as described above for the embodiments of FIGS.1-10. The first and second mounting plates 820, 920, which are coupledto the frame 801, are then slidably mounted to the first and secondelongate members 851, 951, respectively, as discussed in greater detailbelow.

To avoid redundancy, only the mounting of the first elongate member 851to the first mounting plate 820 is described in detail herein with theunderstanding that the second elongate member 951 and the secondmounting plate 920 are identical. In order to slidably mount the firstelongate member 851 to the first mounting plate 820, the hooks 861-863are inserted through the multi-width aperture 830, the first aperture823, and the second aperture 824. The hook 861 is inserted through themulti-width aperture 830, the hook 862 is inserted through the firstaperture 823, and the hook 863 is inserted through the second aperture824. The elongate member 851 is then slid upward until the hooks 861-863fully engage the top edges 847, 845, 846 respectively.

Instead of inserting hooks 861-863 through apertures 830, 823, and 824,the hook 861 may be inserted through the first aperture 823 and the hook862 may be inserted through the second aperture 824. Alternately, hook862 may be inserted through the multi-width aperture 830 and hook 863may be inserted through the first aperture 823. In yet other mountingcombinations, the hook 861 may be inserted through the second aperture824. Further, the hook 863 may be inserted through the multi-widthaperture 830. By inserting different hooks 861-863 through differentapertures 830, 823, 824, adjustments in height may be obtained. Inalternate embodiments, there may be more than three hooks 861-863 orapertures 830, 823, 824 or there may be fewer than three hooks 861-863or apertures 830, 823, 824. The number of hooks 861-863 and the numberof apertures 830, 823, 824 need not be equal. In yet other embodiments,the first and second apertures 823, 824 may have the same shape as themulti-width aperture 830.

In an alternate mounting best shown in FIG. 17B, the frame 801 is hungby installing a screw 849 into a door 870. To avoid redundancy, only thefirst mounting plate 820 is disclosed, with the second mounting plate920 being identical. Instead of a door 870, the first mounting plate 820may be mounted to any other vertical surface, such as a wall. As withother embodiments, the first mounting plate 820 is installed to theframe 801 via screws 821, and then the head of the screw 849 is insertedinto the multi-width aperture 830 and slid upward until the shaft of thescrew 849 contacts the top edge 847 of the multi-width aperture 830.This permits flexible mounting of the frame 801 without requiring theuse of the first and second elongate members 851, 951. Multiple screws849 may be used, and the first mounting plate 820 may be designed toaccommodate multiple screw apertures 830 as desired.

FIGS. 18A and 18B disclose an alternate embodiment of the first elongatemember 851A, with three flanged fasteners 881-883 in place of hooks861-863. The elongate member 851A is identical to the embodimentsdisclosed in FIGS. 12-17B excepting those features explicitly described.The second elongate member is also identical to the first elongatemember 851A disclosed in this embodiment. The flanged fasteners 881-883each have a post portion 886 and a flange portion 888. The flangedfasteners engage multi-width apertures 891-893 as will be discussed infurther detail below.

FIGS. 19A and 19B disclose an alternate embodiment of the first mountingplate 820A. The first mounting plate 820A has three multi-widthapertures 891-893. The first mounting plate 820A is identical to theembodiment disclosed in FIGS. 12-17B excepting those features explicitlydescribed. The second mounting plate is also identical to the firstmounting plate 820A disclosed in this embodiment.

Turning to FIG. 20, the flanged fasteners 881-883 are shown engaged withthe multi-width apertures 891-893. The flanged fasteners 881-883 areinserted into the multi-width apertures 891-893 and slidably engagedsuch that the post portion 886 of the flanged fasteners 881-883 mateswith the nesting section of the corresponding multi-width apertures891-893. The flange portion 888 of the flanged fasteners 881-883prevents the flanged fasteners 881-883 from withdrawing from themulti-width apertures 891-893 unless the first mounting plate 820A isslid upward with respect to the first elongate member 851A to releasethe flanged fasteners 881-883. Alternate embodiments of the flangedfasteners 881-883 may be bolts, rivets, screws, or other fastenershaving a flange and post portion which permit engagement with thenesting portion of the multi-width apertures 891-893.

In yet other embodiments, the hooks, flanged fasteners, bolts, rivets,or screws of the first and second elongate members as shown anddescribed in the preceding embodiments may be substituted for theapertures of the first and second mounting plates of the precedingembodiments. Likewise, the apertures of the first and second mountingplates may be substituted for the hooks, flanged fasteners, etc of thefirst and second elongate members. Thus, the mounting features may bereversed to permit the mounting plates to have hooks or flangedfasteners which engage apertures of the elongate members.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: aframe comprising a rear surface; a first mounting plate and a secondmounting plate, the first and second mounting plates secured to the rearsurface of the frame on opposite sides of a vertical centerline; thefirst mounting plate comprising: a first raised portion comprising amulti-width aperture having a nesting section; and a second raisedportion comprising a first aperture having a top edge; the secondmounting plate comprising: a first raised portion comprising amulti-width aperture having a nesting section; and a second raisedportion comprising a first aperture having a top edge; a bracketassembly comprising: a first hook; a second hook; and at least onebracket configured to slidably engage a top edge of a door; first andsecond fasteners configured to be mounted to a vertical surface, each ofthe first and second fasteners comprising a post portion and a flangeportion; wherein the frame can be: (1) slidably mounted to the bracketassembly by at least slidable mating between the top edge of the firstaperture of the first mounting plate and the first hook of the bracketassembly, and slidable mating between the top edge of the first apertureof the second mounting plate and the second hook of the bracketassembly; and (2) slidably mounted to the first and second fasteners byat least slidable mating between the post portion of the first fastenerand the nesting section of the first multi-width aperture of the firstmounting plate, and slidable mating between the post portion of thesecond fastener and the nesting section of the first multi-widthaperture of the second mounting plate.
 2. The over-the-door hangingapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first mounting plate has a first planarportion between the first and second raised portions of the firstmounting plate and wherein the second mounting plate has a first planarportion between the first and second raised portions of the secondmounting plate, wherein the first planar portions of the first andsecond mounting plates are in surface contact with the rear surface ofthe frame, and wherein the first and second raised portions of the firstand second mounting plates are spaced apart from the rear surface of theframe.
 3. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising: the first mounting plate further comprising a third raisedportion comprising a second aperture having a top edge; and the secondmounting plate further comprising a third raised portion comprising asecond aperture having a top edge.
 4. The over-the-door hangingapparatus of claim 3 wherein the frame can be (3) slidably mounted tothe bracket assembly by at least slidable mating between the top edge ofthe second aperture of the first mounting plate and the first hook ofthe bracket assembly, and slidable mating between the top edge of thesecond aperture of the second mounting plate and the second hook of thebracket assembly.
 5. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 3wherein the first mounting plate has a first planar portion between thefirst and second raised portions of the first mounting plate and asecond planar portion between the second and third raised portions ofthe first mounting plate, and wherein the second mounting plate has afirst planar portion between the first and second raised portions of thesecond mounting plate and a second planar portion between the second andthird raised portions of the second mounting plate, and wherein thefirst and second planar portions of the first and second mounting platesare in surface contact with the rear surface of the frame.
 6. Theover-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 5 wherein a bottom edge of thefirst aperture of the first mounting plate is located on the secondplanar portion of the first mounting plate and wherein a bottom edge ofthe first aperture of the second mounting plate is located on the secondplanar portion of the second mounting plate.
 7. The over-the-doorhanging apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a fastener hole locatedon at least one of the first and second planar portions of each of thefirst and second mounting plates.
 8. The over-the-door hanging apparatusof claim 1 wherein the multi-width apertures of the first and secondmounting plates comprise a receiving section and the nesting section,the receiving sections having a width that is greater than a width ofthe nesting sections.
 9. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1wherein the bracket assembly comprises a first elongate bracket membercomprising the first hook and a third hook and a second elongatedbracket member comprising the second hook and a fourth hook, and whereina hanging height of the frame can be adjusted depending on which of thefirst and third hooks of the first elongate bracket member and which ofthe second and fourth hooks of the second elongate bracket member areslidably engaged with the multi-width apertures and the first aperturesof the first and second mounting plates.
 10. An over-the-door hangingapparatus comprising: a frame comprising a rear surface; a firstmounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first and secondmounting plates secured to the rear surface of the frame on oppositesides of a vertical centerline, each of the first and second mountingplates comprising one of: (1) a first raised portion comprising a firstmulti-width aperture; and (2) a flanged fastener; a bracket assemblycomprising at least one bracket configured to slidably engage a top edgeof a door, the bracket assembly comprising one of: (1) a first and asecond multi-width aperture; and (2) a first and a second flangedfastener; wherein when the first and second mounting plates comprise thefirst raised portion comprising the first multi-width aperture, thebracket assembly comprises the first and second flanged fasteners, andwherein when the first and second mounting plates comprise the flangedfastener, the bracket assembly comprises the first and secondmulti-width apertures; and wherein the frame can be slidably mounted tothe bracket assembly by: (1) slidable mating between the first flangedfastener of the bracket assembly and the first multi-width aperture ofthe first mounting plate and slidable mating between the second flangedfastener of the bracket assembly and the first multi-width aperture ofthe second mounting plate; or (2) slidable mating between the flangedfastener of the first mounting plate and the first multi-width apertureof the bracket assembly and slidable mating between the flanged fastenerof the second mounting plate and the second multi-width aperture of thebracket assembly.
 11. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 10wherein each of the first and second mounting plates comprises the firstraised portion comprising the first multi-width aperture, a secondraised portion comprising a second multi-width aperture, and a firstplanar portion located between the first and second raised portions. 12.The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of thefirst and second mounting plates further comprises a third raisedportion comprising a third multi-width aperture and a second planarportion located between the second and third raised portions.
 13. Theover-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first and secondplanar portions of the first and second mounting plates are in surfacecontact with the rear surface of the frame.
 14. The over-the-doorhanging apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a fastener hole locatedon the first planar portion of each of the first and second mountingplates.
 15. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 11 wherein theframe can be slidably mounted to the bracket assembly by slidable matingbetween the first flanged fastener of the bracket assembly and any oneof the first, second, and third multi-width apertures of the firstmounting plate and slidable mating between the second flanged fastenerof the bracket assembly and any one of the first, second, and thirdmulti-width apertures of the second mounting plate.
 16. Theover-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 10 wherein the bracket assemblycomprises a first elongate bracket member comprising the first flangedfastener and a third flanged fastener and a second elongated bracketmember comprising the second flanged fastener and a fourth flangedfastener.
 17. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 10 whereinthe multi-width apertures of the first and second mounting platescomprise a receiving section and a nesting section, the receivingsections having a width that is greater than a width of the nestingsections.
 18. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 10 whereinthe flanged fasteners of the first and second mounting plates or thefirst and second fasteners of the bracket assembly comprise a postportion and a flange portion.